PA Rowing Camps           


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Frequently Asked Questions

I am completely new to this. Are these classes appropriate for me?
This is a question we receive ALL the time and even after you read this, you may still wonder. We assure you these classes are for the COMPLETE beginner. You do not need to have any knowledge about the sport, the equipment, how to row…nothing. That’s what we teach you! Everyone else enrolled in your Level I class is at this level also. They are equally as nervous or excited as you are.

Where are you located exactly?
There is no address for the East Park Canoe Club on Kelly Drive which is why this is a difficult question. Please visit our Location Page for a satellite map and directions. If you are familiar with Kelly Drive, we are exactly 2 miles west of Boathouse Row on the left. There are 2 large boathouses on either side of a large public parking lot. We are the older boathouse and operate out of Temple University’s boat bay, between Father Judge and the Philadelphia Police Marine Unit, both of which are well marked. For complete directions and maps, click here.

Do I need to know how to swim?
Yes. You should be able to swim in the event of an accident. We rarely experience this, but you would need to be able to swim for approximately 2 minutes or until you can hold onto your boat or an oar. (Oars are Coast Guard approved flotation devices.) You will have a coach with you at all times and each coaching launch is also equipped with life jackets. We have coached for many years and never had to make use of these jackets. Nonetheless, we do require that you can swim for at least a few minutes in the event of an emergency.

I am overweight, will I be able to fit in the boat?
We have never come across a situation where a person is too large to fit in one of our boats. Rowing is an excellent recreational fitness experience and we encourage everyone to give it a try.

I am out of shape. I want to take this class, but am afraid it will be too strenuous.
Our classes are all geared towards skills acquisition. You will not be participating in hard aerobic activity. Rowing is not easy to master and it will take a while to develop the necessary skills before you will begin to achieve the benefits of cardiovascular work.

My son/daughter is not 13 years old yet? Do you have any classes for them?
In short, no. For insurance purposes and also due to our own understanding of youth development and rowing, we do not offer classes to anyone under 13 years of age.

Where can I go after the classes to continue rowing?
On the last day of your session, the Executive Director of PA Rowing or your coach will give you the options we see you having. Many people take a 2nd or 3rd class with us and then move on, while others want to move to a boathouse as soon as possible. We will discuss with you the different boathouses that are accepting new members.

My child lives in the city limits of Philadelphia. Do we qualify for the PCBI Youth Development program?
The PCBI Youth Development program was created and is designed to cater to those without the financial means to row. If you are financially able to pay for instruction, we recommend you do so. The majority of our youth in the PCBI programs are from fixed and low income families, single parent families, at-risk youth, underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, etc. Please click here to contact the PCBI Program Intern to discuss whether or not your child is a good fit for this program.